Ferdinand was barracked with every touch of the ball at Stamford Bridge for comments made about John Terry in relation the Chelsea defender's impending court case over an alleged racially aggravated public order offence involving his brother, Anton. Patrice Evra was also a target for the jeers.

Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas said: "You have to condemn it when there is discriminatory, aggressive behaviour but you don't expect opposing fans to cheer your players.

"This is a normal situation in the Premier League. We know the situations. We know we have to play a part.

"If we want to push on this sequence of events to extend in the future, it's up to us. It's up to me and it's up to you in the press.

"If you want to give importance to situations like this, if you let people take responsibility, assume responsibility and the fans and the knowledge that maybe what they were doing makes no sense, it's better but to try to prevaricate isn't right.''

Ferdinand shrugged off the booing on Twitter: "I got booed by the cfc fans today,....well done guys thanks for inspiring me & the lads! That's like fuel to me!''

When asked if it was a relief Terry was not going to be playing, Ferdinand had replied: "Not really. I couldn't care less if he played or not. I just think about playing for Manchester United and winning the game. I let the media talk about it, go on about it and create the storm.

"Anton is my little brother. We have grown up together and I looked after him when we were kids. If something is going to affect him and hurt him, I am always there as a shoulder to lean on. In moments like this, when things are so public and you can't really say anything, it can be frustrating.

"For my family, yes, it has been tough. At the end of the day, my brother has not brought any accusations to anyone. He is not the accused. But he has had to sit there and take abuse from some small-minded people, which has been very disappointing."